dental crowns second opinion Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Could My Bite Be Ruined for Life with These Crowns?

Posted on June 23, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I think my new crowns ruined my bite for life. My dentist shaved and burred my crown until I developed hives. I had an appointment last Friday about the hives on my lips and gums. I wonder if I am having an allergic reaction to the zirconia crowns. Do I need an allergist for this? I am asking about my bite and zirconia allergy. What can I do? Thanks for your help. – Emanuel from Morrisville, NC

Emanuel,

We understand your concerns and are sorry to hear about your frustrating experience.

Could Crowns Ruin Your Bite for Life?

Jaw pain, earaches, and other TMJ symptoms can occur if your bite is off.

When you find a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite, you will be relieved to know that your bite is not ruined for life. We recommend looking for dentists with in-depth study of occlusion and bite. When your bite is off, you feel the discomfort. It can also cause jaw pain, earaches, neck pain, and other TMJ symptoms.

You can schedule a second opinion because your dentist cannot adjust your bite. If you are distrustful about a new dentist trying to adjust your bite, you can schedule a consultation first to meet the dentist, ask questions, and explain your anxiety.

Could You Be Allergic to Zirconia Crowns?

It is possible to be allergic to zirconia crowns, but we have no confirmed cases reported. If a zirconia allergy is causing your reaction, you would have reacted when you got the crowns—before your dentist began grinding on them. You may be experiencing burning mouth syndrome, which can occur after stressful dental appointments.

Grinding down super-strength zirconia crowns is challenging. Feeling the pressure from the grinding repeatedly can increase anxiety for almost any patient.

We hope you get a lasting resolution that relieves your anxiety. Your hives may improve, too. If they do not, we suggest scheduling an appointment with your medical doctor.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Why Do My Three New Crowns Hurt When I Chew?

Posted on September 30, 2022 by AllSmiles.

In early July, my dentists put crowns on my top left bicuspid and the two teeth behind it. After the second molar, I do not have any teeth because an oral surgeon pulled my teeth 14 years ago. All three teeth had old fillings and deep decay. Now that I have crowns, the teeth hurt when I chew. Because three teeth in a row have crowns, I’m unsure whether one or all teeth hurt.

When I put pressure on the crowns with my finger, they all hurt, but the pain could be referring. My dentist adjusted the crowns twice but said my bite was too aggressive when I chew. She said I should chew on the other side of my mouth until the inflammation calms down. That is not a solution for me. Should I ask my dentist for new crowns or get someone else to check out my crowns first? Thanks. Ennis from MD

Ennis,

Thank you for your question.

Dr. Delaune would need to examine your crowns and take x-rays for an accurate diagnosis, but we will provide general information that can help.

Why Do Your New Crowns Hurt?

TMJ issues can result from crowns that do not fit well

If your new crowns hurt when you chew, you may be too high or have a tooth infection. What is the solution?

Adjust your bite – Lower opposing teeth can hit the upper teeth with more pressure than usual if your bite is too high. The repetitive force will irritate your teeth. Eventually, your jaw muscles and joints can become irritated and sore. Neck pain, earaches, or headaches may develop as TMJ disorder symptoms. If your dentist correctly adjusted your bite and the pain linger, you may have a tooth infection.
Check for tooth infection – An x-ray will reveal whether you have a tooth infection. The extent of your pain sounds like you may need root canal treatment. When an infection is challenging to detect, you may need a referral to a root canal specialist (endodontist).

Will You Need New Crowns After Root Canal Treatment?

You should not need new crowns after root canal treatment unless your current crowns are defective or contribute to discomfort. An endodontist can access your tooth pulp through the top of your crowns to perform root canal treatment and seal the crowns closed.

If you do not get satisfying answers from your dentist, schedule a second opinion with a dentist with advanced TMJ and root canal training.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

My dental crown and post broke in five months

Posted on February 28, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Last September, my dentist did a root canal and crown. The crown came off, and it and the post broke. Is my dentist responsible because his work didn’t last? – Thanks. Kenneth from San Diego

Kenneth,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. Although Dr. Rota would need to examine your crown, we can offer some advice based on the few details you provided.

When a Crown and Post Break

When a crown and post break, your tooth probably broke off near the gumline. Most of your natural tooth is probably gone, so if both the crown and tooth failed, the post may be weak, or your tooth cannot be saved.

Is Your Dentist at Fault?

A tooth that breaks near the gumline is challenging to save. Your dentist’s attempt to save the tooth is commendable. Sometimes, other circumstances cause a post and crown to breath. Although your dentist might not be at fault, if the post and crown only lasted a few months, he may be willing to take responsibility for some of the cost. But your dentist is not legally responsible unless he did something wrong. And based on your details, that is not the case.

Your Teeth Bite

If you bite with a tremendous amount of force, as your teeth age, they begin breaking down. Even dental work cannot withstand the force of an exceptionally heavy bite.

Treatment Options

If your crown and post broke and your dentist cannot save your tooth, your options are a dental bridge or an implant to replace the tooth. Regardless of which option you choose, if you have a heavy bite (“gorilla bite”), a hard plastic nightguard will help preserve your natural teeth and dental restorations. A nightguard will also minimize the risks of developing TMJ symptoms, including jaw and neck pain, headaches, earaches, and ringing in the ears.

Before you decide on treatment from your dentist, you can get a second opinion on your dental crown and ask a dentist from another practice to examine them.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metaire, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient with ceramic crowns

New Crowns Affect My Speech and Make My Neck Hurt

Posted on January 7, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My dentist placed four new crowns on my front teeth. Two crowns got rid of a gap between my center front teeth, and my dentist added two more crowns to even out my smile so the center teeth would not look too large. Since getting the crowns, my mouth does not close correctly, and I have trouble pronouncing some words, like words that begin with “tr.”

Also, my mouth and lips are dry, and I have some neck and jaw pain. I’ve had the crowns for three months, and despite my dentist’s adjustments, I see no improvements. I prefer to go back to my gap because the crowns are so uncomfortable.

My dentist asked me to give him more time, But I am unsure what we are waiting for. So far, I do not have another appointment scheduled with him. What are my options? Thank you. Edgardo from TX

Edgardo,

Your description is a problem that requires the attention of a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite. Dentists who study occlusion and bite understand proper jaw function and how your upper and lower teeth should meet when you close your mouth or bite down.

When Dental Crowns Cause Speech Issues and Pain

When a dentist places new crowns, you begin to experience speech issues and neck and jaw pain, so closing your gaps is not the issue. Usually, the problem is that your dentist opened your bit too far.

Several issues can create a bite that opens too far:

Crowns are too thick
Crowns are too long

Symptoms from Poor-Fitting Crowns

Poor-fitting crowns can prevent proper mouth closure and neck and jaw pain.

Lip incompetence – When your lips cannot close naturally without effort, it can lead to dry mouth. And as saliva production decreases, bacteria breeds And black buildup leads to tooth decay.
Jaw and neck pain – Upper and lower teeth that do not meet cause jaw strain. Repeated stress results in neck and jaw pain.

Get a Second Opinion for Your Dental Crowns

Schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training in occlusion and bite. Your neck and jaw pain should resolve with new crowns that fit well. Otherwise, if your symptoms continue, the National Institutes of Health’s brochure on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder recommends conservative treatment. A dentist may recommend a custom split to wear and night and help your jaw relax.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

Crowns that fit well prevent speech issues and jaw and neck pain.
Photos are of Dr. Delaune’s patient.

Can a dentist improve the color of my dental crowns?

Posted on September 9, 2021 by AllSmiles.

Last December, my dentist whitened my teeth with Zoom. In February 2021, I got four dental crowns on my front teeth. Last month, I noticed discoloration in the crowns. And now, they are turning yellow. I am not a heavy coffee drinker. I drink coffee two or three times a week. I’m disappointed that I went through whitening my teeth and getting crowns to match, but now the crowns are turning yellow. I think I know the answer, but I must ask. Is the color change reversible? What is causing it? – Thanks for your help. Avery from SC

Avery,

We are sorry to hear about your experience with your new crowns turning yellow.

Why Do New Dental Crowns Turn Yellow?

When new dental crowns turn yellow, several factors might be responsible, including damage during a dental cleaning, surface damage when you received the crowns, and the composition of your crowns.

Damage during dental cleaning – Sometimes, a dental hygienist can mistakenly use chemicals that damage porcelain restorations.
Sodium bicarbonate – If a hygienist uses a Prophy Jet or another power cleaning instrument on porcelain crowns or veneers, sodium bicarbonate (a chemical tooth-cleaning substance) can remove the glaze. Glaze damage will leave your crowns at risk for staining.
Acidulated fluoride – This chemical substance etches away glaze on porcelain restorations.
Damaged crown surface – Sometimes, when a dentist must adjust the front surfaces of crowns, they can damage the glaze. Or the laboratory may not have glazed the crowns properly.
Crown composition – At times, yellowing crowns are dental composite instead of porcelain. You can verify with your dentist whether you have porcelain or composite crowns

Can You Lighten Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are colorfast, and a dentist cannot change the color. An advanced cosmetic dentist can make new crowns and achieved an expert match to your natural teeth after Zoom whitening.

Dental Crowns Second Opinion

Dental crowns

We recommend that you look for an advanced cosmetic dentist and schedule an appointment for an exam. The dentist will examine your crowns and determine why they are yellowing.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, sponsors this post.